Process of and apparatus for heating materials



April 2 1, 1925.

v C. J. REED PRocEss oF AND AP1=`ABATUS FOR HEATING MATERIALS orginnmea sept. 191s .o y. ,../r, .M F.. ...uw ma.. f x, l l .L Z w lulu, n. jl- 6 fu. .1.... I l I-ll n.' 7 r-.. .,m 2. 0 .d 1 .f J l mv @than M114 Apri121,1925. 1,534,737

' C. J. REED -PROCESSl 0F AND APPARATUS FOR HEATING MATEfxIQLs Original ,Filed Sept. 9, 1918 4.Sheets-Sheet 2 April v21, 1925'. 1,534,737

C. J; REED PROCES OPAND APPARATUS FOR HEATING MATERIALS riginal-Filed sept. 9, 191g 4 sneelqssheetY s as?? ZZ j y,

flttoguutl April"2l, '1925. A

. c. J. REED rnocass oF AND APPARATUS FOR HEATING MATERIALS original Filed Sept. 9, 191g 4 sheets-sheet 4 gwwmtoz Patented Apr. 21, 1925.

tartar orales.

l CHARLES Zi'. REED, 0F SAN MATEO, CALIFORNIA.

PROCESS OF .AND APPARATUS FOR HEATING MATERIALS,

Original application filed September T 0 all 107mm, it may concern.'

Be it known that I, CHARLES J. REED, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at San Mateo, in the county of San Mateo -and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Processes of and Apparatus for Heating Materials, of which the following is a speeilication.

My invention relates to the economical' application of heat to solid materials, 1n.

which mechanical separations or chemical changes are to be effected. It is applicable to the sepa-ration and recovery ot volatile from non-volatile substances and the separation of soluble from insoluble materials, whether these substances are originally present in the solid material or fare derived from chemical changes which take place in the operation.' It is applicable, for example, to the separation, recovery and refinement of sulphur from or-es in which the sulphur may exist as free sulphur or in combination with other elements; to the recovery of mercury from ores and other material; tothe .recovery of oil from shale or sand; to the drivingout of water from solid material; to -the reduction of metallic oxides and'other compounds to the metallic state or to other combinations; to the treatment of solids by liquids orsolu'tions, such as'the dissolving of soluble salts by liquids from insoluble sand or other materlal, or the dissolving or chemical alteration of the material through chemical action between a liquid and a solid. My process consists in causing the solidV material to be advanced progressively by mechanical" means at -controllable spe'edthrough atubular chamber in 'a specific di l 'rection into and then out of a heated zone while it is at the same time subjected to the action of :a current of mobile material, gas or liquid, contmuously flowing in the opposite direction. y

The specific form of apparatusbest adapted for the trea-tment of any substance by my process depends on the nature of the substance, paratus is that of -a tube or series of tubes in. either a horizontal or an inclined 'position. These tubes are preferably provided with internal conveyors for advancing the solid material through the apparatus at a speed which is under control.

To a portion of the tubular chamber, or to 9. 1918, Serial No. 253,343. Divided and this December 19, 1922.

but the general form of the ap seria; No. sot/,922.

one of a series of tubes, heat is applied. This portionptt the apparatus I call the hot zone. Heat may be applied to this zone either externally or internally and the heat itself mayl be derived from combustion or from electrical energy.

Several forms of apparatus, by which my process may be operated in connection with various materials, are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. l is a side view, partly sectional, of a simple form of apparatus well adapted for drying solid material containing water.

application filed. i

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of a form of apparatus adapted to the extraction and recovery of mercury from its ores.

Figs. 3, 4 and 5 represent in elevation, end and plan, respectively, an apparatus suitable for the recoveryof sulphur from ores, and

Fig. 6 is a sectional viewof an apparatus for the treatment or solil material by a liquid.

In Fig. 1, 1 represents a hopper and feedpipe for the introduction of the ore or other material into the inclined tubular chamber 2, near its lower end. Within the chamber 2 is a spiral conveyor 3, having a hollow or tubular shaft 4, adapted to revolve in the tubular chamber and advance the solid material from its point of entry upwardly towards the upper end of the chamber. 9 represents an outlet pipe on'the -under side of the chamber near its upper end, through which the solid material passes by gravity out of the apparatus. A current of air or other gas is caused to pass into the chamber 2, through the pipe 5, and out of 2 through 'thepipe 6, condenser 7 and blower 8, or other equivalent means which may be used to cause the flow of air or gas. This'low of air orV gas as indicated in the drawing by arrows, is in the direction opposed to the direction of motion of the solid material. l0 represents la burner or other, external source of heat applied'to the walls of the-fz chamber 2 at a point` between 9- and 6. 'Ihisy heated part of the chamber is what I herein Vdesignate the hot zone. 13 represents a blow pipe through which the flame of a iet of burning oil or gas may be projected into out ofthe hot zone while it is Subjectedto 1 a hollow or tubu the oppositely flowing current of air or gas. 11 represents a drip or outlet for condensed liquid products.

lVhen the apparatus is used for drying solid material, for example, the water expelled from the material in the hot zone is carried by the current of air downward against the incoming stream of solidv material and is either carried out by the air and condensed by the condenser 7, or a. portion of it may condense in the lower and cooler portion of the chamber 2 and escape at the dripll. As the hot and completely dried solid material passes upward out of the hot zone it meets the incoming current of air and transfers its heat to the air which transports it back to the hot zone. Thus by suitably proportioning the tubes and the speeds of the solid and of the mobile material, the proper and highly economical application of heat may be obtained. When the heat is all applied internally through the hollow conveyor shaft, the external surface of the ltlubes may be insulated to prevent loss of eat.

Fig. 2 represents a form of apparatus adapted to the extraction of mercury from its ores. In this figure, A represents a hopper and `feed-pipe for the introduction of the ore or other material into the inclined tube'B, near its lower end. Within the tube B is a screw or s iral conveyor F, `having ar shaft adapted to revolve. in tube B and advance the solid material from its point of entry upwardly towards the other end of the tube. C is an, outlet pipe on the under side of tube B near its upper'end, through which the solid 'materia]l passes by gravity out of tube B into a second-similar tube B1. From B1 it passes similarly into tube B2` thence successively into tubes B3, B4, and B5. Tubes B, B2 and 4 are parallel and their conveyors are all revolved in the same direction by means of the sprockets D, D4, D2 and D3 and the sprocket-chains E and E1. Similarly tubes B1, B3Y and Bs are parallel and their conveyors are all revolved in .one direction op- 2 and B4 by means of the sprockets D4, D3, D3 and .D7 and the sprocket-chains E2 and E3. The conveyors F3 andF4 are connected by beveled gears G and G1. This arrangement causes all conveyors to advance the ore from the lower ends of the tubes to the upper ends. From the upper end of one tube lthe' ore drops vertically to the lower end of the next tube below until it finally passes out at discharge-outlet C5- l A current of air or other gas is produced in the series of tubes by the exhaust blower H, in the di'- rection indicated by thelarrows. This air enters at the ore-outlet C5 and-passes in the directionl indicated by the arrows through and over the ore, but in the direction oppfo- 50 pgosite to that of the conveyors in tubes B,.

site to the movement `of theore.'l This current of air flows, through the entire system, passing out through the exhaust fan or blower H.

lOne of the central tubes B2 is used as the hot zone of the retort and its temperature and that of its contents should be maintained at 400 C. or at a higher temperature. This may be done by means ofthe external source of heat I, or by the flame of a blow pipe J, projected into the interior of the hollow shaft of the conveyor F2, or by both of these means. The heatedore in B2 is thus exposed tothe downwardly flowing current of air, which is to some extent preheated by having already passed over and through the hot residual ore in the tubes B3, B4 and B3. In practice I prefer to-surround the entire apparatus or at least the tubes B, B4, B2, B3, B4 and B5 with heat-insulating material, not shown in the drawing, to prevent loss of heat by radiation. The cold air entering the system at the ore outlet C5.and passing over the hot residual ore in the tubes B3, B4, and B'5 is preheated by extracting heat from the ore and when this preheated air reaches the hot zone its temperature is practically equa-l to that of the hot zone. This current of hot air, passing over the heated ore in the hot zone, transports the vapor of mercury with it and oxidizes the cinnabar, carrying the products of that reaction, mercury and sulphur dioxide, with it. The vapor of mercury, passing downward out of the hot zone, is partially condensed at the lower end of the tube B2, the condensed portion passing out through the sealed or trapped outlet K2. Any vapor of mercury which is not condensed in tube B2 passes by suction upward through the vertical pipe C' into the tube'B1 and through tube B1 from its upper, to its lower end, giving up its heat to the upwardly moving incoming ore. In this tube an additional quantity of mercury vapor, and probably some water vapor, is condensed and the condensedportion flows out at the trapped outlet K1. This condensing action is continued in as many additional tubes asma-y be desired or found necessary to condense the last trace of mercury vapor and transfer the last traces of available heat from the out-going gases tothe incoming ore.

The heated ore in the hot zone; tube B2, after having been thoroughly cleaned from mercury and transported by the conveyor to the upper end of tube B2, drops by 'gravity into the lower end ofthe tube B3, meeting the incoming current of air' from below and transferiing a `portion of its heat to the air. Also, in being conveyedI through tube B3V from its lower to its upper lend, the ore gives up to the oppositely moving stream of in-V coming air a further portion of its heat, and

this process 1s continued in succession in the A bethrough the walls of the apparatus,

andthe discharge tubes or chutes next lower tube B1, and then in B11-and in as many additional tubes as may be necessary to completely transfer all available heat from the outgoing ore to the incoming air. rlfhe tubes B1, B, Bs and all tubes below the hot zone may be inclined, as shown in the drawing, or may be parallel and horizontal or in any suitable position, as there is no mercury vapor in this part of the apparatus to be condensed and a form of construction should be used which will to the best advantage facilitate the forward motion of the ore and at the same time be least objectionable in its construction and operation from a mechanical standpoint.

Ln this arrangement it will be noted that the condensed mercury is always in a position, on becoming liquid, to flow away from vthe hot zone towards the incoming ore. It will also be seen that, as both the ore and the air enter the apparatus cold and leave the apparatus cold,.the only loss of heat will which may, by suitable insulation, be reduced to any required minimum.

In the drawing, the ends of the hollow revolving conveyors are inclosed in hoods L, to permit a continuous flow of the products of combustion from the interior of one tube to another. While this is generally advantageous, it is notabsolutely necessary.

The construction of the tubes B, B1, B2 etc. C, C1, C2 etc. iss/supplemented by vertical supports preferably 'of tubular form alternating with the chutes C as supporting elements.

Figs. 3 4 and 5 represent a modified formof my apparatus particularly adapted totherecovery of free sulphur-and other volatile` substances from mechanical mixtures and volatile substances originating in chemical .re-actions.

In this form of apparatus I prefer to apr-x..

range the tubes B1,- B11, B12, etc. in the positions shown in the drawing.I yIn Figs. 3,

and 5 an apparatus comprising nine tubes 1s shown, but any required number of tubes I gasor gaseous mixture over and over again,v the'construction of the apparatus must be ,different 1n details from that shown in Figs;-

may be used. The central tube B14, constitutes-the hot zone. As a currentof air could not be used to transport the vapor rof sulphur without oxidizing it to sulphur dii oxide, an inert gas, or gaseous mixture must beused. In order to be, able to use this inert l and 2. V

In this form of apparatus I prefer to segregate thel tubes into three groups, the hot' and B1, the tubes.

zone,pcompris1ng the tubes B13, B1.4 the upperor inlet zone, comprising B1", B11. and B12 and the lowerbr outlet zone, comprising the tubesB1, B17 and B12. The ore from the hopper A1 is conveyed through tube B from the lower to the vlower to its upper end pipe hopper.

upper end thereof, where it falls through chutel C1 into the lower end of tube B11, whence it'is conveyed through B11 from its and dropped through chute C11 into thelower end of tube B12, thence to the upper end of tube B12 and dropped through chute C12 into the upper end of tube B13, thence through tube B13 to its lower end and 'dropped through chute C13 into the upper end of tube B1, thence through tube B14 to its lower end and dropped through chute C14L into the upper end of tube. B15, thence through tube B15, chute C15, tube B1, chute C1, tube B17, chute C1", tube B12, and chute C12, finally leaving the apparatus through outlet C18 and dropeither through the hollow shaft by means of' a blow-pipe J1, or by means of a furnace flame or burner I1 or by hot gases directed against the external surface of the tube B12.

By means of the blower 15 and: aspirator 16, a partial vacuum is produced and maintained in the tube 17. dust-separator 1S, pipe 19, tubes B14 and B15, causing the gases to ow out of tube cated by the arrows through the dust-separator and aspirator into the condensingchamber20. The aspirator 16 consists of a vertical rectangular tube open at the lower end and connected at the upper endwith the blower- 15, vthrough pipe 21 and having a diaphragm 22, perforated by numerous small holes. Above the diaphragm a pressurebf the gases is produced by the blower 15. The

gases issuing at high velocity' through the lower sijde ofthe diaphragm, which draws the mixed sulphur vapor and inert- ,.gases from the tube 17, and forces" them 'downward into the chamber 20. at the same time cooling and condensing' the sulphur vapor into flowers of sulphur. The partial vacuum in tube B11causes the gases in chamber`20 to return, as indicated by arrows,t'hrough the 23 into the tube B15.

The vertical chutes C12 and C15 are partly filled with the ore, which acts as a gate to prevent Afree) passage of vthe gases through them. The hopper A1 and its outlet` tube 24, also contain solid material which prevents the free passage of gases thcrough the' and' 26 are blowers which cause a current of gases to enter into the system through chute C18 in the direction indicated by arrowsand to flow successively through tube B18, chute C17, tube B11, chute C111, tube B1, pipe C19. pump 25, pipe C20, tube B12, pipe chute C11, tube B11, chute C10, to the upper end of tube B10 and from there through pipe 262 to pump 2G,

B14 inthe direction indi-I abovejhe vaporizing temperature oit' sulture of the ore and vaporizin upward through pipe C10 Vrator 18 and pipe 17,

The spiral conveyor F10 driven by the sprocket gear D11 advances the ore -through the tube B10 from the lower to the upper end until it falls through chute C10 into the lower end of tube B11, whence it passes successively through tube B11, chute C11, tube B12, chute C12, tube B13, chute C15, tube B11, chute C11, tube B15, chute C15, tube B1, chute C15, tube B11, chute C11, tube B18 and pipe C18 intothe reservoir Y. The vapor of sulphur is condensed in chambers 16 and 20, collecting on the bottom of chamber 20. The chamber 20f is filled with inert gases, most conveniently a mixture of atmospheric nitrogen and .sulphur dioxide. lThis mixture is automatically formed in t-he closed system of tubes and receptacles constituting the apparatus when thecontained oxygen combines with sulphur at the beginning of the operation. The lower end of the aspirator extends downward through a cloth diaphragm or screen 29, which divides the chamber 20 into lower and upper compartments. The cloth screen acts as a filter to allow the inert gases to return to the blower 15 yby a suitable suction-distributing pipe system 31 and prevents the finely divided sulphur dust from being drawn back into the blower. The pipe 23, opening into tube B15 and into chamber 20 above the diaphragm 29 allows free circulation of the inert gases through the hot zone. The sulphur is converted into vapor in the tube B11 and this vapor with the inert gases is drawn by the aspirator 16 through the pipe 19, dust separator 18 and pipe 17 into the aspirator.

Heat is conveyed into the interior of tube B14 from a blow-pipe fiame projected into its hollow conveyor shaft. The products of this combustion pass through the hollow shaft intona. jacket 181, inclosing dust-sepa- -and finally escape at outlet 32, thereby maintaining the temperature of the dust-separator and the tube 1"?V phur.' The inert gases in returning through tube lB15 absorb heat from the residual ore and transport it back into tube` B11, where 1t isi/again utilized in raising the temperasulphur. The residual ore passing from tu e B15 into tube B15 still contains some available heat which, in passing through tubes B15, B17 and B18, is transferred to. the oppositely .moving stream of air or inert gases produced in these tubes 25 throughthe pipe C19 connected to the-v heated by heatv by the suction-blower tube B15. 4The gases thus extracted from residual ore or tailings pass into the upper end of tube B11 and successively through tube B11, chute C11, tube B11, chute C10, blower 26, pipe C21, condensing-coil 27, pipe 28 and receptacle Y. These heated gases in passing through tubes B12, and B11 agalnst the stream of incoming ore preheat the ore and vaporize the moisture contained therein. This moisture is either condensed and rejected by outlets at the lower ends of tubes B12, B11 and B10, or is carried out through the blower 26tand condensedin the coil 27.

Supports S1 similar to the supports S previously described in connection with Fig. 2 alternate with chutes C1"V etc. to support the tubes B10 etc.-

Fig. 6 represents a form of apparatus adapted for the treatment of a solid bya liquid, such as dissolving of soluble from insoluble constituents or for causing a solid` and a liquid to react chemically.

In this form of apparatus, liquid-proof bearings vor stuled bearings for therevolving conveyor shaft are provided to prevent leakage. The apparatus is filled with thc liquid and a hydrostatic head or presi sure ot the liquid is provided with a source of suppl)Y and a. constant-level outlet, giving a controllable ioiv of the liquid through the apparatus.

ln Fig. 6, 34 represents fixed tube ofi suitable material containing a spiral conveyor 35 provided' with a tubular shaft 36 mounted in liquid proof bearings 32 and 331 The tube 34 may be horizontal or inclined at any angle suitable to the purpose intended. 37 represents a hopper with a feed-tube for theintroduetion of the solid material. 38 represents a source of the liquid under control by the stop-cock 39. 40 and 41 represent stand-pipes, into either of which the liquid may be fed. 42 represents an outlet pipe, the height of which determines the height of the liquidfin the apparatus. 43

represents an outlet pipe and 44 a receptaclel for the solid material after treatment. The solid material is advanced through the tube 34 by the conveyor 35 as shown, or by any other suitable means against a stream of the liquid owing in the opposite direction. .Heat maybe applied externally by any suitable device .45 at any point of the tube 34 between the entrance and exit of'the liquid and the solid, Aor it may be applied internally through the interior of the tubular conveyor-shaft by a blow pipe 46. This type of apparatus is subject to great flexibility as to the ,form and position of the tubular retort. It may, for example, be vertical and arranged to cause either the liquid wards. While I have shown a spiral conveyor in the drawings as the means of transporting the solid material through the reaction chamber, I do so only for purposes of'illustration and do not limit myself to that means. It is evident that other devices could be used, such as reciprocating drags, plowsor scoops.

or 4the solid to move 11p-- to the solid While it is approaching Also the chamber itself may be made to revolve or reciprocate in such a manner as to advance the solid material from one end to the other.

This application is a division of my application Serial No. 253,343., iiled September 9,

I claim:

1. In the heat-treatment of solid material, the process which consists in causing the Y solid material to move progressively from lower to a higher level from a colder to a hotter zone, and from the hotter zone into a second colder zone, against a stream of chemically active mobile material, thereby extracting heat from the solid while it is passing from the hotter zone and imparting heat the hot ter zone.

2. In the heat-treatment of solid material, the process which consists in causing the solid material to move progressively from a lower level to a higher level into and out of a heated zone against a stream of chemically active Huid.

3. In the heat-treatment of solid material, the process which consists in causing the solid material to move progressively from a lower level to a higher level into and out of a heated zone against a stream of solvent. 4. In the heat-treatment of solid material, the process which consists in causing the solid material to move progressively from a lower level to a higher level into and out of a heatedV zone against a stream of chemically active solvent.

5. Inthe heat-treatment of solid material, the. process which consists in causing the solid material to move progressively from a lower level to a higher level into and out o a heated zone against a stream of aqueous liquid.

In testimony whereof, I ,aiiix my signature. l

CHARLES J. REED. 

